i want to eat everything!
Just discovered this delectable cupcake blog, Cupcake Bakeshop. The engineer-by-day, master-baker-by-night blogger whips up amazing cupcakes and posts her recipes and pictures…all for us to either attempt to make, or just drool over.
Here are a few samples from the site:
From left to right: chocolate ganache; lemon meringue; cashew, carrot, cardamom cupcakes with cashew cream cheese frosting; pomegranate matcha.
You have to check out the blog for more wonderfulness.
There’s an adzuki bean paste filled chocolate cupcake that I’d love for someone to make for me… 
in no particular order…
1) I am elated that Hillary won New Hampshire!!!!! She looks so happy. But…what was she wearing today?? As my roommate said, a carpet? Maybe a window curtain. It’s ok. Carpet, curtain or not, she won!
Also, check out this video of her being defending her likability (and being quite personable) – and Obama making a slightly snide comment that may have worked against him in NH.
2) I just sampled Trader Joe’s peppermint oreos (officially called candy-cane joe joe’s) and let me tell you, they are absolutely fantastic.
3) I have almost played The Raveonette’s Christmas Song to death. Almost. Coincidentally, my other favorite discovery is The Killer’s A Great Big Sled…both are Christmas-y although I didn’t hear of them until this past weekend. Ooooo. I just realized point number two is sort of Christmas-related as well. Maybe I just want the holidays to come back that badly.
cheese, gromit, cheeeeese!
May I present the first ever, most-amazing-cheese-party-in-the-world, through pictures (I apologize in advance for those who were there, have already seen my photo recap and/or have read my fellow co-host’s blog).
10 different cheeses from different countries, but more importantly…from Whole Foods (minus one from Trader Joe’s that somehow weaseled its way in):
Name cards and descriptions of each cheese, written with love and care by yours truly:
Hosts of the evening. Keyvan better count himself a lucky man:
The aftermath…our friends sure know how to tear through food:
And perhaps the best evidence of a good time…25 empty wine bottles:
Stay tuned for the next foodie party…tea and cupcakes anyone? 
windy city
I’m currently in Chicago on business and realized that the city smells like chocolate. Isn’t that strange? I’ve never noticed it before. My friend told me that there is a big chocolate manufacturer based in the city so the chocolate scent permeates parts of downtown. Interestingly, I already associate Chicago with chocolate because it’s the home of Vosges Haut-Chocolat, which is currently taking the world by storm. It’s also the first city where I visited a “chocolate cafe,” Moonstruck.
Chicago’s such a great city. I didn’t appreciate it nearly enough when I was at Northwestern. For this trip, I flew in Sunday night just as the Bears won the NFC championship. The excitement of the city was just too cute. SF doesn’t even share a tenth of the same enthusiasm over the 49ers. Granted, the 49ers aren’t about to play in the Super Bowl.
But I digress. What do I like about Chicago? It has a unique personality; a cool, modern vibe mixed with a rich, historical feel. I love how the El – the subway system - wraps around the buildings downtown. Michigan Avenue is absolutely beautiful, especially when it’s lit up at night, and the view from the Chicago River is just crystal-clear and spectacular. To an extent, I actually like the briskness of the cold air; it smells so fresh and has a nice bite to it. I was also able to hang out with two of my favorite friends, so that is always a pleasure.
I leave tomorrow, but hopefully business will send me back soon!
can i be rewarded for these plugs?
Today is a good day.
I walked by Swensen’s and they have finally come out with their seasonal pumpkin flavor! I’ve only lived in San Francisco for a little over two years now, but that makes three Octobers, and three seasons of Swensen’s pumpkin ice cream. I’m telling you people, it is good stuff.
Now that I’m on the topic of Swensen’s, I’d also highly recommend Okoze for sushi, which is next door. I was originally told that the sushi there melts in your mouth, and if sushi can melt in your mouth, it’s definitely at Okoze.
